Matt Gaetz backs Mike Rogers’ Space Command investigation months after angry exchange on House floor

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, says he completely supports Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers’ probe into whether the mission behind Space Command has changed.

Rogers on Thursday released a letter saying the secretary of the Air Force, authorized with making the final decision on the permanent home for Space Command headquarters, is investigating changes to the mission.

Rogers also announced a probe looking into those changes as well by the House Armed Services Committee that he chairs.

“Alabama was rightfully chosen to be the home of the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters, but because the people of Alabama support protecting life and reject immoral left-wing policy, there are efforts underway to retaliate and halt construction of the installation,” Gaetz tweeted Friday.

See also: Gaetz once considered run for Alabama Senate seat

NBC News reported May 17 that “some defense and congressional officials” believe President Biden’s White House is laying the groundwork to stop the command’s move to Alabama “in part because of concerns about the state’s restrictive abortion law.”

Redstone Arsenal has emerged through multiple assessments as the best location for Space Command. Yet the decision remains undetermined despite the Air Force announcement more than two years ago that Redstone was the preferred location.

“It is unacceptable for the Biden administration to make unilateral military decisions on the basis of state abortion policy,” Gaetz tweeted. “I look forward to demanding answers from military leadership under oath.”

The message of support from Gaetz comes nearly five months after Rogers had to be held back by one of his colleagues after confronting Gaetz during a contentious late night vote for U.S. House speaker.

Rogers was one of Kevin McCarthy’s top backers of the congressman’s bid for speaker. Gaetz withheld support for McCarthy’s bid through more than a dozen rounds of voting in early January.

Rogers was restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson, R.-N.C., who grabbed Rogers by the face.

Rogers was “frustrated because Gaetz had been holding out for a subcommittee gavel on the Armed Services Committee,” NBC News reported at the time.

After the incident, Gaetz was photographed standing, smiling and flexing his bicep. Gaetz voted “present” on the 15th vote as McCarthy secured the votes he needed to become speaker.

“Glad it’s over,” ABC reported Gaetz said as he walked off the House floor.

The Sunday after the angry Friday night exchange, Rogers tweeted: “I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding.”

“I was just exasperated that Matt [Gaetz] was treating [Kevin] McCarthy so badly,” Rogers told The New York Post in an interview.